Wagga Wagga Shines Bright at 2025 NSW Tourism Awards

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Wagga Wagga continues to rise as a strong regional destination, and its recent success at the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards highlights the city’s growing impact on the tourism industry.

The recognition reflects years of planning, collaboration and steady development across the region.

The City of Wagga Wagga earns gold in the Local Government Award for Tourism and becomes a finalist for Festival of W 2024 in the Major Events and Festivals category.

Council’s Destination and Events Coordinator, Cassandra Farquharson, says the recognition shows the city’s leadership in tourism planning and event development.

The result also reflects the work of operators across Wagga Wagga + Surrounds who continue to improve visitor experiences.

Cassandra notes that the awards acknowledge excellence, innovation and dedication across the local tourism sector.

Tourism plays a key role in the region’s economy, and this achievement highlights the strength and momentum driving growth.

Each year brings new opportunities, and the industry’s ambition continues to move the region forward.

The NSW Tourism Awards stand as the state’s highest industry honour, celebrating operators and events that set new standards in visitor experience.

This year includes 125 finalists and 78 winners across 30 competitive categories, which makes Wagga Wagga’s achievements even more significant.

A major part of the city’s success comes from the newly endorsed Wagga Wagga Destination Management Plan 2025–2034.

The plan outlines a clear path to reach 1.55 million annual visitors by 2035, aiming to attract another 350,000 travellers to the region.

Festival of W plays a central role in this growth, with the 2024 event welcoming more than 100,000 attendees, of whom around 30 per cent were from outside the region.

Local tourism partners also receive well-earned recognition.

The Silos Accommodation wins gold in the New Tourism Business category and progresses to represent NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards in March 2026.

Kestrel Nest Eco Hut secures silver in the Ecotourism category. Bundyi Cultural Tours, based in Wagga Wagga, also earns silver for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences.

Wagga Wagga’s strong performance at this year’s awards highlights a region moving confidently into the future with bold plans and a supportive network of passionate operators.